Advisory Board
Competences
behind people
PLAI's Competence Board is a powerhouse of visionaries determined to spotlight and propel the most promising startups to new heights. Our collective goal is to harness the transformative potential of generative AI, ensuring that disruptive innovations receive the recognition and nurturing they need to thrive.
Spanning deep technical knowledge in AI to sophisticated global marketing strategies, our board's expertise is as broad as it is deep. This wealth of experience ensures that our startups are adeptly guided through every challenge and opportunity, from ideation to global market penetration.
Get to know the people behind PLAI
Sergio Amati
General Manager IAB ItalyGeneral Manager of the Italian Chapter of IAB Interactive Advertising Bureau, #1 global Association for the digital marketing ecosystem.
Alessandra Antonelli
Country Leader Italy at Amazon Web Services (AWS)Leader of the business transformations for customers in commercial sectors and the go-to-market strategy, to enhance the country's digital economy through cloud computing, enabling organizations to redesign business models and accelerate innovation.
Luigi Bianchi
Business Advisor, Manager of Innovation & Digital Transformation - FastwebOver 25 years of experience in Telecommunication with a strong focus on customer experience, products development, innovation. Currently leading the Fastweb Venture Building Program, held roles in Vodafone and ePlanet.
Paola Bonomo
Non-executive Director, advisor, business angelServes on the Investment Committee of VC fund Neva First. She is a Vice Chair at IAG, Italy’s leading business angel group.
Marco Bressani
Senior Advisor - PricewaterhouseCoopers Business ServicesFounder of PwC Acceleration Center, member of AI Strategy Group (MISE), Advisory Board at RoboIT, founder IO Surgical Research for AI in surgery.
Luciano Catoni
EntrepreneurEntrepreneur with experience (including several near-misses) in healthcare, supply chain, fashion, retail, and corporate services.
Giampaolo Colletti
StartupItalia DirectorGiampaolo is a professional journalist who writes about marketing and innovation for Il Sole24Ore. He is the Director of StartupItalia.
Paola Colombo
General Manager Adtech & Business Development Publitalia ’80Paola Colombo is General Manager of Publitalia ’80, Mediaset Italy saleshouse, where she is leading the Adtech and Business development unit focussing on new business strategies, partnerships, and technology driven innovation.
Guido Di Fraia
Founder&President - IULM AI LabPro-Rector at IULM University, Milan, specializing in AI and Innovation; creator and coordinator of the new Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence, Business and Society.
Matteo Flora
Entrepreneur, communicator & Professor AI e SI security – ESEProfessor of AI Safety Fundamentals and Superintelligences (ESE), Corporate Reputation and Crisis Management (Pavia), and Data-Driven Strategies (Bicocca). Founder of The Fool, the leading Italian company in Customer Insight.
Luca La Mesa
SingularityU, Investor, Social Media StrategistAfter working in marketing at Unilever and Procter & Gamble, he specialized in advanced social media marketing strategies and technological innovations.
Marco Magnaghi
Managing Director - GroupM NexusDigital enthusiast, worked in consulting on business transformation, strategic marketing for consumer goods, and enhancing digital experiences at GroupM.
Paolo Merialdo
Ordinary ProfessorTeaches ``Data Engineering`` and ``Digital Entrepreneurship`` at Roma Tre University, focuses on explainable AI, co-founder of InnovAction Lab, advisor to three AI startups.
Paola Mogliotti
Director - I3PGraduated at Politecnico di Torino, has worked in innovation and entrepreneurship since 2005, supporting innovative startups. Since 2018, Director of I3P.
Giangiacomo Olivi
Partner - Studio legale DentonsEurope Co-head of the Intellectual Property, Data, and Technology department. Expert lawyer in contract law across various industrial sectors, digitization, privacy and artificial intelligence.
Federico Rampolla
Advisor, board member, mentorFederico is one of the pioneers of the internet in Italy. Since 1996, he has held significant managerial positions in the digital and European market, working at Matrix/Virgilio, Fullsix, WPP, Accenture Digital and Mondadori.
Giulio Ranucci
Head of Innovation, Digital & CVC- Aeroporti di RomaOver 15 years in marketing & innovation, held roles at Princess Cruises, Italo - NTV, and Cassa Depositi e Prestiti.
Alceo Rapagna
Equity Partner & CEO Startupbootcamp Italia and InnoleapsEquity Partner and CEO of Italy at Startupbootcamp and Innoleaps - a leading global platform in startup acceleration and venture building with major companies - where he also served as Group CEO until 2023.
Maurizio Romandini
VP M&A, BD & Partnership – MultiversityPreviusly Strategy & Business Development Director at Loro Piana, LVMH Group. Former Principal at Bain & Company. Started at Lazard. Bocconi graduate.
Chiara Russo
Founder & executive president - CodemotionDedicated tech leader and co-founder of Codemotion, she has guided significant VC-funded growth and actively champions gender equality in technology.
Massimo Sideri
Italian journalist and teacherItalian journalist and teacher. He is adjunct professor in socio-economic history of innovation and communication of science.
Franco Spicciariello
AWS Director of Public Policy for EU MEDFranco Spicciariello is the Director of Public Policy for EU MED (Mediterranean Europe) at AWS.
Davide Tesoro-Tess
Advisor, Investor, Board Member20+ years’ experience at building great businesses and great teams. Ex-Sky, ex-Value Partners. He launched Sky Ventures in Italy.
